Wonder of 'Water' at Chelmsford Library

Carj'an, a photographer, artist and designer who grew up in Chelmsford, shares her talents with local audiences in Waters, a show on view during June at the Chelmsford Library.

She was born in Boston and spent her first five years living in her grandparents' spacious home with three sets of cousins.

"We would run and sneak into my grandparents' enormous basement design studio to peek at the beautiful garments and hand-embroidered bead work they made, loving nothing better than to watch them create from almost nothing -- pure magic to young eyes," she recalls in her artist's statement.

Image by Carj'an at Chelmsford Public Library

She knew she wanted to create that magic. But before learning how, she had moved to Chelmsford with her author parents and only years later discovered her inheritance -- the creative drive of her grandparents, nurtured by wonder, freedom and love she recalled from her earliest years.

Her own artistic endeavors began at Chelmsford Junior High, where she created black and white ink scratch art, and in Chelmsford High School, where she studied black and white photography. A work-study program brought her to a dental lab, where she explored the craftsmanship and manufacturing of physical pieces.

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Moving to Los Angeles after college, she added jewelry designer to her artist/designer/photographer mix. She worked in various photography studios and then spent almost a decade at Walt Disney Studios, working on large scale projects, including commissioned and special projects for studio executives Roy Disney and Jeffery Katzenberg.

Her love of nature and treasured relationships with its intrinsic life influences this show.

"As fluid and transitional as this element of water is, it symbolizes my journey from the East to the West and flowing back to the ground earth of New England," she said.

She remains inspired by the abundance of lush greens, colors, trees and wildlife that she sees here.

"It evokes the desire in me to capture as many moments as possible and to share my own perspective of the beauty I behold."

A reception takes place on Saturday, June 8, from 2-4 p.m. at the library on Boston Road near Chelmsford Center.

In addition, a closing reception takes place on Wednesday, May 29, at 5:30 p.m. for artists featured in the closing show, selections from the Congressional Art Competition featuring work by art students in the Fifth Congressional District.

CALL FOR ARTISTS: The Chelmsford Art Society has issued a call for artists to submit work for its 45th annual 4th of July Art Festival. Information and pre-registration forms are available now through June 24 at www.chelmsfordartssociety.com or the Chelmsford, Westford and Tyngsboro libraries, the Chelmsford Town Offices, Chelmsford Center for the Arts, Parish Center for the Arts in Westford, Picture Yourself Frame Shop in Chelmsford and the Brush, Whistler House, ALL and Zeitgeist galleries in Lowell. For questions, email chelmsfordartsociety@gmail.com.

SPRING INTERLUDE: Whistler House Museum of Art, Worthen St., Lowell, presents The Art of Fashion as the theme of this year's Spring Interlude fundraiser on Saturday, June 8. Festivities include a 6 p.m. cocktail party and viewing of fashions from the 1900s to today, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. With this event, the museum pays tribute to James McNeill Whistler, who was born in Lowell and was considered a 19th century "fashionista." Designers represented include Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Bob Mackie and Yves St. Laurent. In addition, local Western Avenue Studios artists Ann Lee, Tara Cockell, Betsy Keeney and Jeanne Osborn will present custom-made designs of ensembles and accessories. $125 donation to WHMA; $115 for members. 978-452-7641 or www.whistlerhouse.org for info.

NATURAL INTERLUDE: Powers Gallery presents Inspired by Nature, a selection of paintings, sculpted mirrors and contemporary tables, all designed with nature in mind. Runs through June 8 at the gallery, 144 Great Road, Acton. 978-263-5105 or www.powersgallery.com for info.